Persons wishing to visit India as tourists, or for meeting friends and relatives, will be given six months tourist visas. Tourist visas are non-extendable and non-convertible. Travel agents who have to visit India frequently are, however, eligible for Business visas of a longer duration.
Before submitting your application, please read the FAQs relating to Tourist Visa in this document.
Visitors travelling to India on business can obtain business visas valid for up to 1 year. Longer term business visas, valid for up to 5 years with multiple entries, can also be granted to frequent travellers and technicians / experts going to India, in pursuance of bilateral agreements or joint-venture projects having the approval of the Government of India.
Business visa applicants should enclose copies of documents from their head office giving details about the purpose of their visit to India. A specific letter of invitation by the firm or organization in India will help speeding up the processing of the application .
Before submitting your application, please read the FAQs relating to Business Visa in this document.
Student visas can be obtained on furnishing proof of admission to recognized universities / institutions in India. Student visas are valid for 5 years or the duration of the course of study (whichever is less).
Employment visas can be obtained on furnishing proof of employment with companies in India.
Before submitting your application, please read the FAQs relating to Employment Visa in this document.
Transit visas can be obtained for halts in India en route to other destinations. Normal Duration of stay in India: maximum 72 hours. Transit visas should be obtained from the embassy or a consulate before departure since they are not available at airports in India.
Journalists can obtain single entry visas valid for three months. They should submit documentary proof to visit India, i.e. an employment card or original letter from a reputed news / media agency where they are working or by the office which has given them the assignment in India.
The initial three-month-period can be extended by applying to: Publicity Officer, XP Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi-110001
Journalists travelling to India to work in any branch office of foreign media / TV can obtain six months multiple entry J-Visas directly on application to the Embassy, on production of the letter of appointment by the foreign media / TV office. This is applicable also to journalists replacing correspondents in India.
For all other purposes, entry visas can be obtained. These will be granted depending on the purpose of visit and eligibility, on a case by case basis.
Film producers, who wish to shoot a film in India, are required to fill in a special form and provide additional information about the film project. For further information click here.